Pianotech

Hi everyone! I am restoring an upright Steinway from 1906. I am a Berklee grad and have been playing for 35 years, but am learning that there are so many things I do not know.

The piano was given to me, but was last serviced in 1980, and was filthy (inside and out - cleaning HAD to happen). I do think that in the process, while cleaning the pins, I stripped them of all their lubricant.

The keys and bushing are still in great shape, but they don't slide up and down like one would expect (some just don't come up at all anymore) - I was hoping someone could give me some guidance or pointers on how to relubricate the pins. I have gathered that the Teflon or graphite option is a huge pain, and I'm doing my best to not do anything 'destructive' for this restoration.

The piano is for me - not a client - so I'm not looking for perfection here, but it's a 118 year old instrument that has just been neglected, and I'd like to do things correctly.

If you have any advice to offer for pin lubricant I would be so appreciative. Thanks!

Prolube.  Take the keys out and spritz the pins. If the pins are corroded, polish them first.  If they are still too tight, the best process is to use heated caul(s) with an iron in the bushing mortises (temp controlled) and/or ease the keys with plier tool (be careful not to squeeze too much and make them loose).  Spritz the capstans too while you're at it.  If the capstans are gunked up with grease and feel sticky, replace the wippen felt too.  It's likely that any lube known to man is in that felt.  Good luck.

Hi everyone! I am restoring an upright Steinway from 1906. I am a Berklee grad and have been playing for 35 years, but am learning that there are so many things I do not know.

The piano was given to me, but was last serviced in 1980, and was filthy (inside and out - cleaning HAD to happen). I do think that in the process, while cleaning the pins, I stripped them of all their lubricant.

The keys and bushing are still in great shape, but they don't slide up and down like one would expect (some just don't come up at all anymore) - I was hoping someone could give me some guidance or pointers on how to relubricate the pins. I have gathered that the Teflon or graphite option is a huge pain, and I'm doing my best to not do anything 'destructive' for this restoration.

The piano is for me - not a client - so I'm not looking for perfection here, but it's a 118 year old instrument that has just been neglected, and I'd like to do things correctly.

If you have any advice to offer for pin lubricant I would be so appreciative. Thanks!

Hi everyone! I am restoring an upright Steinway from 1906. I am a Berklee grad and have been playing for 35 years, but am learning that there are so many things I do not know.

The piano was given to me, but was last serviced in 1980, and was filthy (inside and out - cleaning HAD to happen). I do think that in the process, while cleaning the pins, I stripped them of all their lubricant.

The keys and bushing are still in great shape, but they don't slide up and down like one would expect (some just don't come up at all anymore) - I was hoping someone could give me some guidance or pointers on how to relubricate the pins. I have gathered that the Teflon or graphite option is a huge pain, and I'm doing my best to not do anything 'destructive' for this restoration.

The piano is for me - not a client - so I'm not looking for perfection here, but it's a 118 year old instrument that has just been neglected, and I'd like to do things correctly.

If you have any advice to offer for pin lubricant I would be so appreciative. Thanks!

Hi Colman, this list is not a do-it-yourself forum, but "serious beginners" will always get help. I suggest you contact members of Columbus's local PTG chapter and see if someone is willing to take on an apprentice. I.e., a certain amount of grunt work (cleaning up the shop) in return for clear instruction on rebushing your keys, advice on whether the key pins need to be replaced, etc. Perhaps rebush a set or two from a junk piano, then tackle your Steinway upright's keys. Hopefully do a good enough job your mentor will have you doing key work in the shop in the foreseeable future!

Rome wasn't built in a day.

Hi everyone! I am restoring an upright Steinway from 1906. I am a Berklee grad and have been playing for 35 years, but am learning that there are so many things I do not know.

The piano was given to me, but was last serviced in 1980, and was filthy (inside and out - cleaning HAD to happen). I do think that in the process, while cleaning the pins, I stripped them of all their lubricant.

The keys and bushing are still in great shape, but they don't slide up and down like one would expect (some just don't come up at all anymore) - I was hoping someone could give me some guidance or pointers on how to relubricate the pins. I have gathered that the Teflon or graphite option is a huge pain, and I'm doing my best to not do anything 'destructive' for this restoration.

The piano is for me - not a client - so I'm not looking for perfection here, but it's a 118 year old instrument that has just been neglected, and I'd like to do things correctly.

If you have any advice to offer for pin lubricant I would be so appreciative. Thanks!

Hi Colman, this list is not a do-it-yourself forum, but "serious beginners" will always get help. I suggest you contact members of Columbus's local PTG chapter and see if someone is willing to take on an apprentice. I.e., a certain amount of grunt work (cleaning up the shop) in return for clear instruction on rebushing your keys, advice on whether the key pins need to be replaced, etc. Perhaps rebush a set or two from a junk piano, then tackle your Steinway upright's keys. Hopefully do a good enough job your mentor will have you doing key work in the shop in the foreseeable future!

Rome wasn't built in a day.

Hi everyone! I am restoring an upright Steinway from 1906. I am a Berklee grad and have been playing for 35 years, but am learning that there are so many things I do not know.

The piano was given to me, but was last serviced in 1980, and was filthy (inside and out - cleaning HAD to happen). I do think that in the process, while cleaning the pins, I stripped them of all their lubricant.

The keys and bushing are still in great shape, but they don't slide up and down like one would expect (some just don't come up at all anymore) - I was hoping someone could give me some guidance or pointers on how to relubricate the pins. I have gathered that the Teflon or graphite option is a huge pain, and I'm doing my best to not do anything 'destructive' for this restoration.

The piano is for me - not a client - so I'm not looking for perfection here, but it's a 118 year old instrument that has just been neglected, and I'd like to do things correctly.

If you have any advice to offer for pin lubricant I would be so appreciative. Thanks!

I often see people advising beginners to become an apprentice or find a mentor, but it isn't that simple. Does the teacher need someone who has no experience hanging around and taking up their time? What is the apprentice going to do for the teacher? Provide free labor? Work for them after they have trained you? Do you have time to work for free? Are you going to be available whenever they need you? Nobody is going to take on an apprentice who only wants to fix their own piano. I think you're better off joining the PTG where you will have an opportunity to ask questions, participate in technical demonstrations at meetings, and you will hear about training seminars that you can attend. Even then, is that worthwhile for someone who only wants to fix their own piano? You have to decide that for yourself.

Hi Colman, this list is not a do-it-yourself forum, but "serious beginners" will always get help. I suggest you contact members of Columbus's local PTG chapter and see if someone is willing to take on an apprentice. I.e., a certain amount of grunt work (cleaning up the shop) in return for clear instruction on rebushing your keys, advice on whether the key pins need to be replaced, etc. Perhaps rebush a set or two from a junk piano, then tackle your Steinway upright's keys. Hopefully do a good enough job your mentor will have you doing key work in the shop in the foreseeable future!

Rome wasn't built in a day.

Hi everyone! I am restoring an upright Steinway from 1906. I am a Berklee grad and have been playing for 35 years, but am learning that there are so many things I do not know.

The piano was given to me, but was last serviced in 1980, and was filthy (inside and out - cleaning HAD to happen). I do think that in the process, while cleaning the pins, I stripped them of all their lubricant.

The keys and bushing are still in great shape, but they don't slide up and down like one would expect (some just don't come up at all anymore) - I was hoping someone could give me some guidance or pointers on how to relubricate the pins. I have gathered that the Teflon or graphite option is a huge pain, and I'm doing my best to not do anything 'destructive' for this restoration.

The piano is for me - not a client - so I'm not looking for perfection here, but it's a 118 year old instrument that has just been neglected, and I'd like to do things correctly.

If you have any advice to offer for pin lubricant I would be so appreciative. Thanks!

I agree mostly with you.  What I have done is simply charge my hourly rate for mentoring.  If this person is working on his own piano, there's no liability or callbacks.  He'll likely hire you for any future work or even re-do what he attempted.  You could call it remote shop work.  I helped a couple local guys here, who paid me for my time, and both joined the Guild and became full-time techs.  Taking on an apprentice only works if you have enough work for them on a regular basis, and it's likely they will eventually become a competitor and/or snag some of your clients.  Free "help" may end up not being free if they mess up a customer's piano while they're trying to learn.  If someone is willing to pay your hourly rate, they'll have "skin in the game" and be more serious about becoming a tech.  If they want to be a hobby-ist, fine, they'll get good instruction and you will still profit by helping them.  I would be cautious about anything "free".  Which means, no free mentoring and no expecting anyone to work for free on the plea of being mentored. 

I often see people advising beginners to become an apprentice or find a mentor, but it isn't that simple. Does the teacher need someone who has no experience hanging around and taking up their time? What is the apprentice going to do for the teacher? Provide free labor? Work for them after they have trained you? Do you have time to work for free? Are you going to be available whenever they need you? Nobody is going to take on an apprentice who only wants to fix their own piano. I think you're better off joining the PTG where you will have an opportunity to ask questions, participate in technical demonstrations at meetings, and you will hear about training seminars that you can attend. Even then, is that worthwhile for someone who only wants to fix their own piano? You have to decide that for yourself.

Hi Colman, this list is not a do-it-yourself forum, but "serious beginners" will always get help. I suggest you contact members of Columbus's local PTG chapter and see if someone is willing to take on an apprentice. I.e., a certain amount of grunt work (cleaning up the shop) in return for clear instruction on rebushing your keys, advice on whether the key pins need to be replaced, etc. Perhaps rebush a set or two from a junk piano, then tackle your Steinway upright's keys. Hopefully do a good enough job your mentor will have you doing key work in the shop in the foreseeable future!

Rome wasn't built in a day.

Hi everyone! I am restoring an upright Steinway from 1906. I am a Berklee grad and have been playing for 35 years, but am learning that there are so many things I do not know.

The piano was given to me, but was last serviced in 1980, and was filthy (inside and out - cleaning HAD to happen). I do think that in the process, while cleaning the pins, I stripped them of all their lubricant.

The keys and bushing are still in great shape, but they don't slide up and down like one would expect (some just don't come up at all anymore) - I was hoping someone could give me some guidance or pointers on how to relubricate the pins. I have gathered that the Teflon or graphite option is a huge pain, and I'm doing my best to not do anything 'destructive' for this restoration.

The piano is for me - not a client - so I'm not looking for perfection here, but it's a 118 year old instrument that has just been neglected, and I'd like to do things correctly.

If you have any advice to offer for pin lubricant I would be so appreciative. Thanks!

I often see people advising beginners to become an apprentice or find a mentor, but it isn't that simple. Does the teacher need someone who has no experience hanging around and taking up their time? What is the apprentice going to do for the teacher? Provide free labor? Work for them after they have trained you? Do you have time to work for free? Are you going to be available whenever they need you? Nobody is going to take on an apprentice who only wants to fix their own piano. I think you're better off joining the PTG where you will have an opportunity to ask questions, participate in technical demonstrations at meetings, and you will hear about training seminars that you can attend. Even then, is that worthwhile for someone who only wants to fix their own piano? You have to decide that for yourself.

Hi Colman, this list is not a do-it-yourself forum, but "serious beginners" will always get help. I suggest you contact members of Columbus's local PTG chapter and see if someone is willing to take on an apprentice. I.e., a certain amount of grunt work (cleaning up the shop) in return for clear instruction on rebushing your keys, advice on whether the key pins need to be replaced, etc. Perhaps rebush a set or two from a junk piano, then tackle your Steinway upright's keys. Hopefully do a good enough job your mentor will have you doing key work in the shop in the foreseeable future!

Rome wasn't built in a day.

Hi everyone! I am restoring an upright Steinway from 1906. I am a Berklee grad and have been playing for 35 years, but am learning that there are so many things I do not know.

The piano was given to me, but was last serviced in 1980, and was filthy (inside and out - cleaning HAD to happen). I do think that in the process, while cleaning the pins, I stripped them of all their lubricant.

The keys and bushing are still in great shape, but they don't slide up and down like one would expect (some just don't come up at all anymore) - I was hoping someone could give me some guidance or pointers on how to relubricate the pins. I have gathered that the Teflon or graphite option is a huge pain, and I'm doing my best to not do anything 'destructive' for this restoration.

The piano is for me - not a client - so I'm not looking for perfection here, but it's a 118 year old instrument that has just been neglected, and I'd like to do things correctly.

If you have any advice to offer for pin lubricant I would be so appreciative. Thanks!

Yes, joining the Guild, and/or going to a school is a good idea because it's very difficult to learn all that you need to know without help.  We have a new mentoring program here in San Diego, and hope to expand it to other chapters soon.  Stay tuned!
Mentorships are very hard to find anymore because largely the rebuilding part of the trade has fallen off.  That's where a lot of people learned the trade.  Availability of cheap imports is another factor.  It's not economically feasible to rebuild grandma's old piano compared to the cost of a new import.  Like the sound of one hand clapping, how is a new tech supposed to get experience on a variety of pianos if there's no opportunity to do that?  Getting a job at a store is a good way to begin, but it's hard to get that opportunity if you don't have experience or if they don't have someone on staff or contract to guide you.  I started as an apprentice at a store, but business was not as brisk as it once was and they stopped hiring a full time tech.  Add to the mix if you have a regular job, and have to carve out time from your family life to spend an hour or two studying or working on a piano at home.  You gotta be determined and get a foot in the door.  Going to chapter meetings, zoom meetings, Conventions, etc., will only get you so far.  I"m sorry you're not able to find someone, even paid, but we're just trying to make a living with what we're doing, and very little time to devote to a new person.  But this forum is very helpful, and most here are more than willing to offer advice and ideas to anyone as long as they are sincere and want to learn.

I often see people advising beginners to become an apprentice or find a mentor, but it isn't that simple. Does the teacher need someone who has no experience hanging around and taking up their time? What is the apprentice going to do for the teacher? Provide free labor? Work for them after they have trained you? Do you have time to work for free? Are you going to be available whenever they need you? Nobody is going to take on an apprentice who only wants to fix their own piano. I think you're better off joining the PTG where you will have an opportunity to ask questions, participate in technical demonstrations at meetings, and you will hear about training seminars that you can attend. Even then, is that worthwhile for someone who only wants to fix their own piano? You have to decide that for yourself.

Hi Colman, this list is not a do-it-yourself forum, but "serious beginners" will always get help. I suggest you contact members of Columbus's local PTG chapter and see if someone is willing to take on an apprentice. I.e., a certain amount of grunt work (cleaning up the shop) in return for clear instruction on rebushing your keys, advice on whether the key pins need to be replaced, etc. Perhaps rebush a set or two from a junk piano, then tackle your Steinway upright's keys. Hopefully do a good enough job your mentor will have you doing key work in the shop in the foreseeable future!

Rome wasn't built in a day.

Hi everyone! I am restoring an upright Steinway from 1906. I am a Berklee grad and have been playing for 35 years, but am learning that there are so many things I do not know.

The piano was given to me, but was last serviced in 1980, and was filthy (inside and out - cleaning HAD to happen). I do think that in the process, while cleaning the pins, I stripped them of all their lubricant.

The keys and bushing are still in great shape, but they don't slide up and down like one would expect (some just don't come up at all anymore) - I was hoping someone could give me some guidance or pointers on how to relubricate the pins. I have gathered that the Teflon or graphite option is a huge pain, and I'm doing my best to not do anything 'destructive' for this restoration.

The piano is for me - not a client - so I'm not looking for perfection here, but it's a 118 year old instrument that has just been neglected, and I'd like to do things correctly.

If you have any advice to offer for pin lubricant I would be so appreciative. Thanks!

I had a mentor who help a few of us get started. He was great. But he told me once that he sometimes lay awake at night trying to figure out how he could stop someone from telling folks he had 'been trained by Bob ______' after just a couple months. 

Yes, joining the Guild, and/or going to a school is a good idea because it's very difficult to learn all that you need to know without help.  We have a new mentoring program here in San Diego, and hope to expand it to other chapters soon.  Stay tuned!
Mentorships are very hard to find anymore because largely the rebuilding part of the trade has fallen off.  That's where a lot of people learned the trade.  Availability of cheap imports is another factor.  It's not economically feasible to rebuild grandma's old piano compared to the cost of a new import.  Like the sound of one hand clapping, how is a new tech supposed to get experience on a variety of pianos if there's no opportunity to do that?  Getting a job at a store is a good way to begin, but it's hard to get that opportunity if you don't have experience or if they don't have someone on staff or contract to guide you.  I started as an apprentice at a store, but business was not as brisk as it once was and they stopped hiring a full time tech.  Add to the mix if you have a regular job, and have to carve out time from your family life to spend an hour or two studying or working on a piano at home.  You gotta be determined and get a foot in the door.  Going to chapter meetings, zoom meetings, Conventions, etc., will only get you so far.  I"m sorry you're not able to find someone, even paid, but we're just trying to make a living with what we're doing, and very little time to devote to a new person.  But this forum is very helpful, and most here are more than willing to offer advice and ideas to anyone as long as they are sincere and want to learn.

I often see people advising beginners to become an apprentice or find a mentor, but it isn't that simple. Does the teacher need someone who has no experience hanging around and taking up their time? What is the apprentice going to do for the teacher? Provide free labor? Work for them after they have trained you? Do you have time to work for free? Are you going to be available whenever they need you? Nobody is going to take on an apprentice who only wants to fix their own piano. I think you're better off joining the PTG where you will have an opportunity to ask questions, participate in technical demonstrations at meetings, and you will hear about training seminars that you can attend. Even then, is that worthwhile for someone who only wants to fix their own piano? You have to decide that for yourself.

Hi Colman, this list is not a do-it-yourself forum, but "serious beginners" will always get help. I suggest you contact members of Columbus's local PTG chapter and see if someone is willing to take on an apprentice. I.e., a certain amount of grunt work (cleaning up the shop) in return for clear instruction on rebushing your keys, advice on whether the key pins need to be replaced, etc. Perhaps rebush a set or two from a junk piano, then tackle your Steinway upright's keys. Hopefully do a good enough job your mentor will have you doing key work in the shop in the foreseeable future!

Rome wasn't built in a day.

Hi everyone! I am restoring an upright Steinway from 1906. I am a Berklee grad and have been playing for 35 years, but am learning that there are so many things I do not know.

The piano was given to me, but was last serviced in 1980, and was filthy (inside and out - cleaning HAD to happen). I do think that in the process, while cleaning the pins, I stripped them of all their lubricant.

The keys and bushing are still in great shape, but they don't slide up and down like one would expect (some just don't come up at all anymore) - I was hoping someone could give me some guidance or pointers on how to relubricate the pins. I have gathered that the Teflon or graphite option is a huge pain, and I'm doing my best to not do anything 'destructive' for this restoration.

The piano is for me - not a client - so I'm not looking for perfection here, but it's a 118 year old instrument that has just been neglected, and I'd like to do things correctly.

If you have any advice to offer for pin lubricant I would be so appreciative. Thanks!